Summary
In 2024, it’ll have been 10 years since the launch ofThe Sims 4, and players are eager for the next installment in the series.The Sims 5, codenamedProject Rene, has mostly been under wraps with limited information released so far about its features, and it’ll probably be a while before any details are released. There are several key thingsThe Sims 5needs to get right to set itself apart from its predecessor from the get go.
Some of thefeaturesThe Sims 5can focus on to distinguish itselfis NPC AI, and tapping into the creativity of its players. NPCs and townies inThe Sims 5need to be smarter than they are inThe Sims 4, with their own schedules and actions that make sense. For example, a celebrity from Del Sol Valley appearing in a random bar in Chestnut Ridge breaks immersion, and shouldn’t be able to do so.
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The Sims 5 Should Tap Into Player Creativity
Gameplay footage from an early build ofThe Sims 5shows more customization options than ever before for Buy Mode items, including patterns and a color wheel for individual parts of the item, as well as mixing and matching different shapes. The developer has also indicated that players will be able to share clusters of furniture with their friends. This kind of feature would open the door for players to create and experiment inThe Simslike never before, and the new sharing options would facilitate it.The Sims 5also needs to go further with mod creators, similar to whatSkyrimhas done with theCreation Club.
WhileThe Simsmay never return to the open worlds ofThe Sims 3, worlds inThe Sims 5need to adopt a more open neighborhood system than the current system inThe Sims 4. Loading screens provide a barrier for exploration and socialization within the world, and removing at least some of those screens will be necessary for a more seamless experience and to encourage players to leave their home lot.
Building on The Sims 4 Would Bring Out The Best of Its Successor
Even if it’s not feasible forThe Sims 5to have all the contentThe Sims 4 hason launch, it should have ambient weather and dynamic seasons. As a life simulation game, weather is an essential component, and it’s time for it to be implemented into the base game, even if the base game is free-to-play. And, while the base game has been reported to be free-to-play, that base game needs to be a worthwhile experience on its own, without having to invest in the add-on content, so that it isn’t a free trial in all but name.
Whilemoodlets for Simswere supposed to guide their actions and create more intelligent Sims, the Mood system became an annoying part of gameplay for many players. A Sim could become Sad for two days whether it was because someone they didn’t know died, or a storm prevented them from sleeping and they had to go to work exhausted.The Sims 5has a chance to take moodlets and create a better system that doesn’t interfere with Sim routines or fulfilling their basic needs, making for less frustrating gameplay.
The Sims 5also needs to establish its own lore and, with more advanced AI and smarter townies, have storylines that play out independent of player input. This could be like the stories seen inThe Sims 2, but more advanced and detailed,givingThe Sims 5gameplay and relationshipsdepth and meaning beyond text descriptions, or even giving the world some unpredictability, which adds replay value.
The Sims 5is in development.
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